Events & Announcements

12 March 2013

The County opened the new West Hawai‘i Organics Facility (WHOF) located adjacent to the West Hawai‘i Sanitary Landfill in Pu‘uanahulu (January 2, 2013). This Facility will accept greenwaste and untreated/unpainted wood pallets from businesses and residents. The materials will be weighed at the County Scales. In the future, the West Hawai‘i Organics Facility will be able to accept other organic materials such as food and paper, helping to prolong the life of our landfill. Changes were also implemented for acceptable loads at the Kealakehe Greenwaste Facility located at the Kealakehe Recycling & Transfer Station. For more information on the changes in the Program please read our West Hawai‘i Greenwaste Program Frequently Asked Questions and visit our Greenwaste page.

Starting on January 17, 2013 County of Hawai‘i "Businesses shall not provide plastic checkout bags to their customers" for free, they "may make plastic checkout bags available for purchase for one calendar year" up to January 16, 2014. (County of Hawai‘i Ordinance No. 12-1)

Using reusable shopping bags is one way to reduce the amount of single-use plastic checkout bags distributed on Hawai‘i Island. Reusable shopping bags come in all shapes, sizes, materials and styles to suit your preference. Don't forget to Shop with Aloha and take along your reusable shopping bags on your next trip to the store.